Creating Affirming Environments: A Toolbox to Help Programs Serve LGBTQ+ Relationships Effectively

This toolkit provides research-informed recommendations for existing Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education (HMRE) programming to become more inclusive and relevant for LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and other gender- or sexually-minoritized) people. While not exhaustive, we hope this toolkit provides a starting point for practitioners to make their programming more inclusive for people across all LGBTQ+ identities.

These recommendations are informed by key facts about LGBTQ+ relationships, a review of LGBTQ+ inclusive terminology, and research on some of the key stressors and sources of resilience and thriving for LGBTQ+ couples. Importantly, same-gender couples and individuals in LGBTQ+ romantic relationships are similar in many ways to their heterosexual counterparts. However, there are also some distinct features and relationship dynamics among LGBTQ+ romantic relationships that may inform program priorities, content, and delivery. We believe this toolkit can help HMRE program providers, project managers, and educators better understand and serve LGBTQ+ couples and families.

Many Americans identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT), and this identification is increasing across generations as social and political environments have generally trended toward becoming more accepting.[1] According to data collected in 2022, about percent of American adults and as many as 20 percent of young Americans identify as LGBT.[2] Committed, romantic relationships are an important part of life for LGBT individuals; in 2021, the United States had about 1.2 million same-sex couple households, including about 710,000 married same-sex couples.[3] The number of same-sex households has steadily increased since 2005 according to United States Census tracking.

Decades of research documents the effectiveness of HMRE programming in helping individuals and couples develop and maintain healthy relationships. Programs have been linked to improved relationship quality, co-parenting functioning, relationship knowledge and skills, and individual mental health outcomes for adult couple program participants.[4] Although the populations served by HMRE programs vary widely, most programs are predominantly informed by research on heterosexual couples with limited consideration of potentially different relationship dynamics that occur for LGB couples.[5],[6],[7] Although some HMRE programs may not intend to exclude LGBTQ+ couples, the lack of representation in program materials may deter LGBTQ+ couples and families from engaging with HMRE programming or feeling comfortable when they do. The purpose of this toolkit is to help existing HMRE programs become more inclusive of LGBTQ+ audiences by raising attention to pertinent issues for this population and providing accessible, evidence-based tips for program adaptations.